MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins officially announced the signing of left-handed pitcher Martin Pérez on Wednesday to a one-year contract. In a corresponding move, right-handed pitcher Chase De Jong was designated for assignment.
Twins leadership has previously said that Perez will headline the competition for the Twins' open fifth rotation spot in Spring Training. Several young pitchers, including Adalberto Mejía, Fernando Romero, Kohl Stewart, Stephen Gonsalves and Zack Littell could also be in consideration.
The 27-year-old Perez has a 43-49 record and 4.63 ERA in seven Major League seasons, all with the Rangers. He was 2-7 with a 6.22 ERA in 22 appearances (15 starts) last year, when he finished the season in the bullpen and missed time due to offseason surgery on his non-pitching elbow.
His best season came in 2013, when he finished sixth in American League Rookie of the Year Award voting after going 10-6 with a 3.62 ERA.
De Jong was 1-4 with a 5.28 ERA in 11 games, including eight starts, across two Major League seasons with the Mariners and Twins. The 25-year-old arrived in the trade that sent reliever Zach Duke to the Mariners at last season's non-waiver Trade Deadline and started four September games for the Twins, going 1-1 with a 3.57 ERA, 13 strikeouts and six walks.